Interview with Carolyn Currey

The following is an interview YIAM had with Carolyn Currey. Carolyn Currey began dancing as a little girl in her parents’ living room. Finances were tight, but when Carolyn was ten, her parents were able to place her in ballet classes taught by friends of the family. In turn, she passed what she was learning on to her own siblings. Training continued as she grew older, and Carolyn realized that dance was a passion for her. Through it, she was able to worship and serve God, as well as training others. Now, having completed training with the Royal Academy of Dance, Carolyn still uses her art to show others how much God deserves our praise.

Carolyn is a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance and ran her own studio, Daybreak Dance Studio, for seven years. She has taught at multiple dance camps, studios, and workshops, and choreographed for several Christian musicals. Carolyn has performed across Canada in many different churches and worked with various worship bands and Christian singers. She appeared on the Christian TV program, ‘100 Huntley St,’ in February 2008, alongside Debbie Fortnum, a Christian singer.

Carolyn co-founded Soli Deo Gloria Ballet in December 2007, with Rachel Starr Thomson. The company toured the Niagara area of Ontario, Canada, for three weeks in the summer of 2008 with the production "Father." "Father" was choreographed and co-directed by Carolyn, who was also the principal dancer for the production.

Q: When did you start dancing?

I started dancing at the age of ten. Most dancers start much earlier but God gave me the ability and training I needed to catch up and become a professional dancer anyway. I have danced in studios in British Columbia and Ontario and been blessed with some wonderful teachers.

Q: When and why did you start "Soli Deo Gloria Ballet"?

Soli Deo Gloria Ballet was founded in December 2007. I co-founded it with my cousin, Rachel Starr Thomson, who is an author, editor, musician, and singer. Our vision was to start a Christian ballet company in Canada that would allow professional level Christian dancers to use their talents for the glory of God. We also incorporate other aspects of the performing arts. On our last tour, "Father," we had dancers, singing, live music with harp, violin, and guitar, and narrations from Rachel’s book, Heart to Heart: Meeting with God in the Lord’s Prayer.

Q: What is it like when you go to a church to perform?

This past summer we toured with the production "Father." Typically we arrive at the church two hours early so we can roll out our portable vinyl-type floor. After that, the musicians do sound checks. Usually the church’s sound crew goes searching for various mics and stands and find all kinds of stuff they’ve forgotten they have!

While this is going on, I tape down the floor and then the dancers warm up. Church stages don’t tend to be very big so we generally go over several of the dances so we know how to adjust ourselves in performance. At every venue we have to figure out different entrances and exits for the dancers, depending on what the space is like. A couple of our dancers are young children, but they still do a great job of adapting to each place!

Once sound and the stage are ready, the dancers change into costume and take a short rest backstage as the audience comes in. I hunt down a washroom so I can get my contacts in, and take those few minutes to pray and focus. The whole performing group prays together a few minutes before we go on stage and then it’s lights and action! We all love performing and it’s wonderful to use our talents to the glory of God. Most of the musicians and dancers are actually part of my family so I’m doubly blessed to be working with them!

We always come out and meet the audience after a performance. Because "Father" is based on Rachel’s book, Heart to Heart: Meeting with God in the Lord’s Prayer, we have a book table with copies available. The feedback from the audience is always so encouraging. It’s a blessing to us to know we’ve been able to uplift someone or help draw them closer to God. Every church we’ve been to has invited us back so we look forward to our next tour being even bigger!

Q: What goes into putting together a dance production?

A big tour has to start with a small idea. Rachel and I usually toss around ideas until we hit on something we feel we can really work with. "Father" was easy as it had a book to jump off from. We listen to a lot of music to find exactly the right pieces to fit the message we’re trying to convey. Sometimes we’ll change a piece partway through rehearsals if the flow isn’t quite right. My job is to choreograph all the dances and rehearse the dancers, including myself. Rachel puts together the narrations and hence has a lot of memory work! We have to design and get the costumes sewn up for each new production. This is not our area of expertise but fortunately one of Rachel’s sisters is an incredibly talented seamstress so she takes over that project. Our musicians learn their pieces and then we put the whole thing together! We take about a week to rehearse intensely every day and run through the entire production to iron out any glitches. By the end of the week we’re well prepared and ready to take the show on the road!

Q: How do you recruit other dancers to perform in your dance productions?

Soli Deo Gloria Ballet is a very new company; less than a year old. We have contacted various Christian studios and contacted dancers through homeschool groups. There has been interest across Canada and the States but so far we have only worked with dancers from my immediate family. If any readers of the "Youth in Action Mag" are Christian dancers, or know of dancers who would be interested in joining us, feel free to contact me at solideoballet@gmail.com. Our website has lots of information on it too: www.solideoballet.com

Q: Is dancing your job or a side gig?

Dancing is definitely my job! I moved to the Niagara area of Ontario a couple of years ago, so we’re not known in the area very well yet. However, this summer’s tour has kicked things off tremendously well and our company is receiving many invitations. In the next few years I hope to build up to performing on a regular basis.

Q: How does being a Christian dance(er) group set you aside from secular ones?

As a Christian dancer I use my talents for the glory of God, not the glory of self. I’m committed to offering dance that is modest and worshipful. The message we give through our productions is one that reveals the character of God, draws people closer to Him, and gives Him the praise He deserves. None of this is found in secular companies. Unfortunately, secular dance, even in classical ballet companies, focuses on glorifying self. A lot of it is not modest or edifying. My goal is to help take this aspect of the arts back for God, who created it in the first place.

Q: Where do you feel God leading you next?

I look forward to many years of developing Soli Deo Gloria Ballet. I pray that committed Christians in the arts will join us and perform with us regularly. I’m very blessed because my work is doing what I enjoy the most. In every performance I pray we will reflect the meaning of our name: "To God Alone be the Glory!"